Attorneys

Attorney Kurt Stender is an competent, experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney who has practiced law since 2001. He represents clients throughout King County, Pierce County and Snohomish County for over ten years. Since 2005, the Law Office of Kurt Stender, PLLC, located in Tacoma, WA, has been representing clients charged with all levels of crime, including DUI, domestic violence, theft, reckless driving and drug related crimes. In addition, Kurt also represents clients seeking to vacate, expunge and seal their criminal records.

Attorney Kurt Stender is well known in the Federal Way Municipal Court. From 2009 to 2013, he has shared the public defense account for Federal Way and over the past ten years, Kurt has represented thousands of people in Federal Way Municipal Court and other courts throughout the area.

At the Law Office of Kurt Stender, PLLC, we will always take the time to explain the law, specific allegations, criminal procedures and most importantly, our professional legal analysis so that you have the resources you need to make an educated decision about your future. With an experienced criminal defense attorney such as Kurt Stender on your side, you can rest assured in knowing that you have already made the best possible decision concerning your situation.

Kurt Stender is a 1994 graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Political Science. Kurt continued his education by attending Seattle University’s School of Law and graduated as a member of the school’s Law Review. Before completing law school, Kurt experienced the first stages of his criminal defense career in Bellevue by working in a public defense firm in 2001. It was not until later that Attorney Kurt Stender switched into a private practice as he began working in a downtown Seattle firm.

In 2004, Kurt established the Law Office of Kurt Stender, PLLC. The solo practice of Attorney Kurt Stender centers on criminal defense and as well as the expungement and sealing of criminal records. Having represented thousands of clients throughout his career, Kurt has worked in Superior, District and Municipal Courts. Attorney Kurt Stender has collaborated on the public defense account for the Federal Way Municipal Court from 2009 to 2013.

Experienced Criminal Defense Representation in South King County

Clients who hire Attorney Kurt Stender can anticipate open communication regarding the law, factual allegations, the legal process, evidence, and of utmost value, his legal analysis regarding the entirety of their unique case. Privacy is his priority as the findings of his investigation are reviewed with his clients in the safety of attorney-client privilege.

With over thirteen years of experience, Kurt Stender has developed his skills as an aggressive criminal defense attorney. Currently, the firm resides in Federal Way, where Attorney Kurt Stender represents his clients throughout King County, Pierce County and Snohomish County.

Kurt Stender has lived in Washington since 1983. He attended Pacific Lutheran University and graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Political Science. In 2001, Kurt graduated from Seattle University’s School of Law as a member of the school’s Law Review. Prior to graduating law school, Kurt began his career in criminal defense by working for a public defense firm in Bellevue. Kurt later transitioned into private practice by working for a firm in downtown Seattle.

In 2004, Kurt opened the Law Office of Kurt Stender, PLLC. The focus of his practice is criminal defense and expunging, vacating and sealing criminal records. Kurt has represented thousands of clients charged with a wide variety of crimes in Superior, District and Municipal Courts. From 2009 to 2013, Kurt has shared the public defense account in Federal Way Municipal Court.

Those who hire Kurt can expect to be fully informed about the law, legal process, factual allegations, evidence and his legal analysis. The results of his investigation are reviewed with his clients in the privacy of his office. When presented this information, Kurt’s clients gain the comfort and assurance of knowing they are making the best decision available for someone in their particular circumstances.

LOCATION

818 S. Yakima Ave. Suite 100, Tacoma WA 98405

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Frequently Asked Question

Frequently Asked Questions

I have practiced criminal defense since 2001. I have represented clients in every court in Snohomish, King and Pierce counties. I have also represented clients in Thurston, Kitsap, Kittitas and Whatcom counties. I have represented hundreds of private clients and thousands of appointed cases. With each of these cases, in each of these courts, I’ve built a reputation with the prosecutors and judges. Not all judges rule the same way on various legal issues. An experienced attorney knows more than just the law and the court rules. An experienced attorney has a rapport with prosecutors and judges. They use their experience to get the best results for their clients.

When I meet potential clients, I always ask what it is that they want. Not all clients want the same thing. Realistically, not all defendants can get their case dismissed. Some want to avoid conviction or jail, while others want to protect their license. Some want to protect their job, while others seek to resolve the matter as quickly (or slowly) as possible. With every potential client, I describe their options before they hire me. Although there are no guaranteed outcomes, and sometimes new options present themselves as the process plays out, the objective is always the same: to inform the client and give them what they want.

If you are charged with a crime in a district, municipal or superior court, your case will likely take at least three to six months to resolve. Some last as long as eight to twelve months. Defendants are required to attend an arraignment hearing and then a series of pre-trial hearings. Most hearings are spread out once a month. If the defendant is placed on probation, the case will remain open (usually) one to five years. A defendant can be summoned to attend a review hearing at any time while on probation.

If you are charged with a crime, there is a digital record of it availabe to the public. Whether you are convicted or not, the public can access the information from the court’s docket, which is a crude log kept by each court on each case. Companies that perform background checks obtain this information and sometimes misinterpret it. Unless the defendant moves the court to vacate, expunge or seal the record, it is available for anyone to see.

Some attorneys work for a contingency-fee agreement, while most work for an hourly-rate. Criminal defense attorneys generally prefer flat-fee agreements. A flat-fee agreement is an estimation of the work needed to achieve an agreed goal. This estimate takes into consideration the client’s criminal history, alleged crime and location of the court. It may also take into consideration whether the defendant is in custody at the time. My flat-fees generally include the work needed to resolve an open case. They do not include the cost of trial. Very few cases actually go to trial. Clients should not pay for trial before it is determined that a trial cannot be avoided. All agreements are made in writing and a copy is given to the client.